Clemens, Walters, Conlon, Runde & Hiatt, L.L.P. (CWCR&H) can assist in a number of areas of the law including general practice.

• Real Estate
• Estate Planning / Probate
• Family Law
• Juvenile
• Litigation
• Criminal Law
• Personal Injury
• Workers Compensation
• Business/ Corporate/Transactional Law
• Mediation

Creating an Estate Plan will protect your interests and your loved ones in the event of death or incapacitation. For many clients, the process of developing an estate plan can be quite simple. For others, particularly those with significant assets or complex family dynamics, the estate planning can be complex. In either event it is important to speak with an experienced attorney to ensure that your objectives are met. At Clemens, Walters, Conlon, Runde & Hiatt L.L.P. our lawyers will work with you to fully explore your circumstances and to provide you with options that address the unique needs of you and your family. Our goal is help you articulate your wishes, reduce those wishes to writing and provide your designated executors, trustees and beneficiaries’ guidance as to how to ensure your wishes are carried out.

The attorneys at Clemens, Walters, Conlon, Runde & Hiatt L.L.P. will work with you to develop a customized plan to meet your needs. The basic tools that each family should consider having include the following: Last Will and Testaments, Healthcare Powers of Attorney, Financial Powers of Attorney, Financial Inventories and Revocable Living Trusts. Tools that may be appropriate in more complex situations, particularly for families with business holdings, investments and other properties, include, but are certainly not limited to: insurance trusts, charitable trusts, succession planning, business entity planning and specialized estate documents. The attorneys at Clemens, Walters, Conlon, Runde & Hiatt L.L.P. are an invaluable member of your team for developing an estate plan that best meets with your needs.

Probate is an area of the law that is intricately linked with estate planning. Probate is a court managed proceeding where assets are retitled and distributed according to a Will or the law of intestacy (a situation wherein a person has passed away without a will). The attorneys at Clemens, Walters, Conlon, Runde & Hiatt L.L.P. will work with the family of a deceased individual to identity the steps to be taken to ensure that assets are retitled and distributed in accordance to the decedent’s plan. In some circumstances that may be accomplished using transfer on death provisions, beneficiary designations, affidavits of transfer or other simple means of transferring assets. In other circumstances it may involve the process of distributing assets out of a trust or through the probate of an estate.

Each probate of an estate is unique, but generally will include the following steps: (1) locating and filing the Last Will and Testament with the local court and/or advising the court that no will has been identified; (2) Filing a Petition for Appointment of Executor or Administrator of the estate and all accompanying documentation; (3) Obtaining an Order Appointing an Executor or Administrator to act on behalf of the estate; (4) Locating, inventorying, and taking custody of the personal assets of the decedent and filing a report with the court regarding such; (5) Paying debts and expenses associated with the last sickness and burial; (6) Ascertaining and notifying all known creditors of the estate, receiving and processing claims against the estate, and ultimately making payment to creditors, discharging obligations and obtaining creditor releases; (7) Selling and liquating assets of the decedent; (8) Filing appropriate inheritance, state and federal tax returns; (9) Preparing and distributing final accounting and reports to beneficiaries and heirs; and (10) Arranging for distribution of bequests to heirs and beneficiaries and providing a complete accounting to the local court. The process of probating a simple estate generally takes 9 months to a year. That time frame can be shortened or lengthened depending on the unique situation. The steps to be taken upon the death of a loved one can be complicated but you do not have to go through this process alone. The attorneys here at Clemens, Walters, Conlon, Runde & Hiatt L.L.P. are available to guide you and your family through these steps and will do so with both sensitivity and compassion.

We, at Clemens, Walters, Conlon, Runde & Hiatt, L.L.P., recognize that the decisions that you must make regarding divorce and family law matters are some of the most serious and significant choices that your family will be confronted with.  When you are faced with making these decisions, obtaining the right legal advice is essential.  The family law attorneys here at Clemens, Walters, Conlon, Runde & Hiatt, L.L.P. understand both the substantial financial and emotional impact that these cases will have on you and your family before, during, and after the final resolution of the case.

Family law problems can be all-encompassing. Clemens, Walters, Conlon, Runde & Hiatt, L.L.P can assist clients in all aspects of the law relating to the needs of today’s families, including, but not limited to:

• Drafting, reviewing, and, if necessary, litigating to enforce or contest prenuptial and postnuptial agreements;
• Pursuing, proving, or disputing paternity issues;
• Assisting non-married couples with cohabitation agreements and estate planning tools;
• Negotiating and/or litigating divorce and child custody matters, including issues of child custody, child support, spousal support and property distribution;
• Mediation of marital and family law matters;
• Representing victims of domestic violence in seeking protective orders;
• Enforcing marital settlement agreements after the issuance of a final divorce decree or child custody decree (contempt actions);
• Modifying marital settlement agreements, child custody arrangements, child support, spousal support, and other matters;
• Assisting in adoptions, including step-parent adoption, grandparent adoption, foster parent adoption, and termination of parental rights.

You need to entrust your most personal and important family decisions to someone you can trust and depend upon, and who has the right experience and knowledge to handle your case. Each family law situation is unique and the family law attorneys of Clemens, Walters, Conlon, Runde & Hiatt, LLP approach each case with a careful understanding of the client’s interests and goals. The firm takes pride in treating its clients’ problems with a thorough and compassionate understanding of what they are going through, and in helping clients to obtain quality legal advice and information that will assist them in making the best decisions for themselves. We take the time to listen, and give your case the attention it deserves. Our lawyers will promptly return your phone calls and e-mails, and explain legal concepts in terms you can understand. With Clemens, Walters, Conlon, Runde & Hiatt, L.L.P, you can be confident that you will be hiring an attorney with integrity and skill in handling your family law matter.

Legal Representation for Juveniles in Criminal Matters

If your child is charged with a crime in juvenile court, it is important to secure skilled representation. While many offenses can seem minor, convictions can pose serious consequences for your child and his or her future as well as for a parent. We seek to minimize the negative impact juvenile proceedings can have on your child and your family.

Legal Representation for Parents and Children in DHS Cases

Anyone can report a parent to the Department of Human Services if they suspect abuse or neglect. DHS then has the responsibility to investigate. While not all investigations lead to juvenile court involvement, it is wise to consult an attorney as soon as possible to protect your parental rights. If DHS finds that abuse or neglect has occurred in your home, it can negatively affect your relationship with your child and could ultimately lead to a termination of parental rights. We aim to provide you with guidance through the investigation process as well as through the juvenile court proceedings if abuse or neglect is founded.

Legal Representation for Children in Divorce and Custody Proceedings

Custody determinations have a long lasting impact on a child’s life. Parents involved in divorce or custody proceedings often feel as though their child’s voice is not being heard or that their best interests are being ignored. In such cases, an attorney or Guardian ad Litem can be appointed by the Court to represent your child and their wishes. As your child’s attorney, we will zealously advocate for your child’s wishes. As Guardian ad Litem, we are responsible for advocating for your child’s best interest, which may or may not align with their wishes. Regardless of our role, we will investigate the facts and circumstances of each individual case in order to adequately represent your child or their best interests on these very important issues.

CWCR&H’s expertise includes representing clients with commercial issues, breach of contract, consumer claims, employment law and other civil actions.

If you find yourself the subject of a lawsuit, CWCR&H can represent your interests. If you feel you’ve been wronged by an individual or company, we can meet with you to discuss your situation. We will try to give you an accurate assessment so as not to create false expectations. If we do take your case we will aggressively pursue all potential defenses to protect your rights.

“You have the right to remain silent.”  Exercise it and call us.

If you have been arrested or are under investigation for a criminal offense, it is crucial that you make every effort to obtain an experienced and knowledgeable criminal defense attorney to represent you.  When searching for a criminal defense attorney, you should properly evaluate their reputation, background and experience.  We at Clemens, Walters, Runde & Hiatt, L.L.P. are dedicated to providing creative and zealous representation, with only our clients’ best interests in mind, and promise to make every effort to obtain the best result possible.

Our attorneys provide defense to clients charged with everything from simple misdemeanors to felony level charges.  We represent individuals from all walks of life and at all stages of the negotiation and trial process.  Our criminal defense includes, but is not limited to:

• Operating While Intoxicated (commonly called OWI or DUI)
• Felony and Misdemeanor Offenses
  • Robbery, Burglary, Sex Offenses, Drug Charges, Domestic offenses, Public Intoxication, Assaults, Thefts

The defense attorneys at Clemens, Walters, Runde & Hiatt, L.L.P. have extensive knowledge of the legal system and can begin building a strategy for your defense immediately.  We highly encourage you to contact us now in order to protect your legal rights.

Contact the offices of Clemens, Walters, Runde & Hiatt, L.L.P. immediately to speak with one of our criminal defense attorneys.  We will provide you or your loved one with superior legal representation.

If you or someone in your family has suffered an injury because of the carelessness of another, you have the right to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit to recover your damages.  CWCR&H handles many types of personal injury lawsuits, including, but not limited to: truck, car and motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, workplace or on-the-job injuries, uncooperative insurance companies, faulty product, and head and back injuries.

Many people ask themselves if it is worth filing a personal injury claim.  First, it is important to remember that in Iowa the injured party has only 2 years to file a claim (lawsuit) against the party that caused the injury.  In the State of Iowa, the party that caused your injury could be liable for: all of your medical bills, including future medical expenses; lost wages, including time you were unable to work and time off for medical appointments; loss of your future earnings because you are  no longer able to work in your profession; any permanent disability, paralysis or disfigurement; damage to your property such as a car or boat; emotional difficulties such as depression or anxiety or loss of personal relationships; reimbursement of expenses for in-home care and housekeeping due to your disability; and any other expenses incurred as a direct result of your injury.

Personal injuries can occur at any place and at any time.  If someone else’s carelessness caused your injury, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills as well as pain and suffering.  CWCR&H can evaluate your case and provide you with representation.

CWCR&H attorneys represent employees who have suffered on-the-job injuries. CWCR&H attorneys will strive to ensure that your rights as an employee are being protected, including your right to medical treatment for your injury and compensation for that injury. We guide employees through the legal process, assisting in preparing and filing claims with the appropriate agency, and help prosecute that claim to a fair resolution.

Starting a business is the realization of a longtime dream.  From the moment that an entrepreneur decides to turn an idea into reality, decisions are made that have enduring legal consequences.  Clemens, Walters, Conlon, Runde & Hiatt, L.L.P. will provide a high level of personalized services to both you and your business as your multiple legal needs are identified and satisfied.  We represent entrepreneurs, start-ups, emerging companies, established companies, business owners and not-for-profit organizations in a variety of industries.  We recognize that factors affecting a business can change daily or at a moment’s notice, thus requiring immediate attention, while certain other matters may require months of strategic planning.  No matter what stage of the business life cycle your company is at, we can assist in meeting its and your needs.  Our services include, but are not limited to:

• Advising on business entity formation options and capital structure. We assist in determining if you and your business are best served by establishing a corporation, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, partnership, sole proprietorship or S corporation;
• Drafting and negotiating shareholder agreements, operating agreements, partnership agreements and joint venture agreements;
• Advising on various types of financing arrangements;
• Structuring, drafting and negotiating basic to complex contracts for a wide variety of business transactions, to include, but not be limited to: employment contracts, non-compete agreements, independent contractor contracts, commercial leases, real estate transactions, subcontractor agreements, purchase or sale of a business, creditor’s rights;
• Providing counsel on employment matters from the initial employment application process, the extension of an employment offer and the final termination of an employment relationship;
• Advising on compliance with various matters of corporate governance;
• Structuring mergers, acquisitions and other types of business combinations; and
• Advising and assisting with the sale or dissolution of an entity.

We handle legal issues that affect businesses from business formation to sale or dissolution and all types of matters encountered in the day-to-day operation of a business.  We understand that there are risks involved in business endeavors and investments.  Our job is to work with you to minimize the risks while you focus on maximizing your business growth.   Our emphasis is on clear and concise communication, both with our client and in assisting our client in extending that clear and concise communication to its employees, customers, vendors and others with whom they interact with on a daily basis so as to ensure that the expectations of all parties are at all times consistent.  Hard work and dedication have gone into the opening of your business.   The attorneys at Clemens, Walters, Conlon, Runde & Hiatt, L.L.P. will apply the same work ethic and attention to the services that we provide to you and your business.

Mediation is an opportunity for parties to express their concerns, to better understand one another’s perspectives, and to work towards a mutually acceptable settlement of disputed issues.  Mediators are individuals trained to facilitate the discussion between parties.  Mediation is an excellent option for parties seeking an alternative to litigation and the court system.  Issues mediated may include a variety of matters, including, but not limited to, custody, child support, spousal support, division of property, division of debt, real estate disputes, contractual disputes, personal injury claims, estate litigation, etc.